Screen display



Jan. 25, 1944. v. l.. MINI-:T 2,346,200 l SCREEN DISPLAY Filed June 8, 1942 4 Shets-Sheet 1 KLJIzMeZ INVENTOR.

Jan. 25. 1944.

V. L. MINET scREEN DMISPLAY Filed June 8,l 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Jan.'25, 1944. v. MINE-r 2,340,200

i SCREEN DISPLAY Filed June 8,' 1942 4 sheets-sheet s Jagd;

3/ we 4a 55 KL.Mz7zeZ IN V EN TOR.

Jan. 25,K 1944o v. 1 .'MINET y 2,340,200

SCREEN DISPLAY l Filed June 8, .1942 4'ASheets-Sheet 4 WHITE LIGHT BLAG K OUT BLUE LIGHT DOOR OPEN WHGTE LIGHT amen our 'yz 69"", a

PURPLE uam' z Dqon ope-u 6,9 84

l l wmrE Luau-r A- f BY Patented Jan. 25, 1944 i i SCREEN DISPLAY.

Valere LaurenceMnet, Geneva, N. Y., assigner of one-fourth to Russell R. Isenhour, Geneva,

Application. June I 8, 1942, Serial. No. .446,227

6 Claims.

The device forming the: subject. matter of thisI application is a panel, carrying display members, thedisplay membersbeing capable of beinghid'- den by movable doors, novel-means'being;provided. for opening the doors,A one. after another; and: novel` means being provided for illuminating the panel in a predetermined sequenceof colors, with intervening blackouts.

The'inventionaims to provide novel means for actuating and controlling the doors and the illuminating means in timed relation.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which thepresent invention appertains.

With the above andother'objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds.,- the invention resides in the combination and arrange.- ment of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter` described; and claimed, it,y being. understood that changes in the;preeise embodifment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what isV claimed, with out departing from the spiriti of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l shows in front elevation, aL display panel constructed in accordance with the invention:

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation wherein parts are sectioned away;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3'3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic, view illustrating the mechanical means whereby the doors are operatively connected to open and toV close in timed relation;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation showing parts associated with a reversible. motor which constitutes means for opening and closing the doors;

Fig. 6 is an elevation; wherein the structure oi Fig. 5 is viewed at right angles to that figure;

Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram.;

, Fig. 8 is adiagrammaticzview illustrating the order in which the various steps in connection with the operation of the doors andthe handling of the lamp occur.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a vertical panel I, of' any desired; outline.

The panel I is provided with a supporting footV 2,` and has a marginal trimming strip 3, constructed` as desired.

The face of the panel I carries a symbol d, preferably the letter V. The symbol 4 comprises a rear. member 5, an intermediate member. Ii,4 and a front member l. The rear member 5 is secured to the panel I, in contact therewith, the rear (Cl. Llil-28) member being connected to the intermediate member 6, and .the intermediate member being connected to chef-ront. member 'I-,vby spacers 8".;

Thelrear member 5 is wider thanv theinterme.- diate member B, and the intermediatememberl iswider-than the` front member l. Ontheir forward surfaces, and atV their innerv edges, theimemp bers-5, 6l and1 'I of the symbol 4 are supplied Withforwardlyprojecting ribs 9; Noting Fig. 3; neithery the ribs 9 nor the outer edges of theparts- 1, Bland 5, are in alinement, that is, in planes` at right angles tothe panel I-. Therefore, each of the;- parts Tf, 6 and 5I presents a complete outline-tov the observer. The parts 5; ii andl may be of lany' desired colors, and color arrangement is-'notav patentable feature in a device of the class de scribed. If desired, the part 'I may be red, the part 6 white, and the part 5-blue, to present the national colors. The strips 9 preferably are luminous.

Thepanel I is supplied with a doorway I 0, prefierably located nearthe upper edge of the panel; Secured tothel rear surface of the panel Land disposed about thev doorway I-0, is a frame II, on

whicha closure I 2 is held, by a-pivotallymounted button I4, or otherwise. On its forward surface, the closure I2 carries a display I5. It will bev understood that the showing ofthe display` I5 in' the drawings is illustrative only: the displayA may be ofany desired sort.

A bounding frame II` is secured to the forwardA surface of the panel I, about the doorway I0. The doorway Iis closed, and the displayl I5 may be hidden, by doors Il, the doors being-connected` .I to the frame I5 by hinges I8, for horizontal swinging movement, to and from closed position.'

The leaves ofthe hinges I8-v which are connected to the doorsJ II are supplied with 'forwardlypro jecting arms I9. The doors I'I are closed by any suitable means, for example, retractile springs connected to the doors'and tothe frame I`I, the springs being designated by the numeral 20.

The casing 2l is mounted on the rear surface of; the panel Vl and opens forwardly through the panel. The casing 2i is of blunted wedge shape, and isl surmounted by a cap 22, which may be regarded asA part of the casing. The casing 2| has an opening 23' in its top. The casing 2| car'- ries a display 24, which may be of any desired sort. The forward portion of the casing 2l is closed by a door 25, hingedly mounted at 2.5, to

swing horizontally. The door 2.5 has a forwardly projecting arm 2l, the door being closed,- by a retract-ile spring 29, connected to the` door-and to the ,casingY 2.

`tion on the panel I.

The numeral 29 marks a flexible element, best shown in Fig. 2. The flexible element 29 has branches 39, which pass over sheaves 3|, supported on the panel I, and disposed at opposite sides of the doorway I9. The branches 39 of the flexible element 29 passl through holes 32 in the panel I and attendant parts, the branches being connected to the arms I9 on the doors |1.

Referring to Fig. 2, the flexible element 29 extends laterally, away from the doors I1, around a direction changing idler 33, supported for rotation upon the panel I. From'the idler 33, the ilexible element 39 extends downwardly and inwardly around a sheave 34, supported f or rota- The intermediate portion of the flexible element 29 is given a turn or two,

geared to the drum 65 by any proper means, the drum rotating at a slow speed: the drum may make one rotation in ten minutes and forty seconds, for example.

At one end, the drum 65 is supplied with a. circumferential conducting band 69, adapted to be engaged by a brush 19. The brush 19 is connected by a conductor 1| to a conductor 12, having a branch 'I3 connected to the track 54, and a branch 14 connected to the track 55. The cong ductor 12 is joined to a switch 15, adapted to as indicated at 35, about a grooved pulley 36,..

the mounting and operation of whichk willbe dealt with hereinafter. flexible element 29 issecured at 31 to the pulley 36.

`Since the exible element 291s secured to the pulley 36, as aforesaid, the flexible element may be `"said to comprise a first run 38, constituting meansfor opening the doors |1, and a second run 39, constituting meansr for opening the door 25.' The ends of a retractile spring 49 are secured to the run 38,A and the ends of a retractile spring 4| are secured to the run 39. The run 39 extends inwardly and downwardly, over a `sheave 42, mounted for rotation on the panel l, and from the sheave 42, the run 39 extends downwardly and forwardly, over a sheave 43, supported'v by the panel I, the said run passing through a hole 44 in the panel, the end ofthe runf39 being secured to the arm 21 on the door 25.

v 'Ih'e'numeral 49 marks a casing for a reversing electrical motor 59, the casing being mounted on the panel I. The pulley 36 is secured to a shaft ||9, journaled inthe casing 49, and is connected by any suitable'gearing III to a shaft IIZ, vjournal'e'din the casing.V The shaft of the motor 59 is'connected to either of the shafts II9 or |I2 by a speed reduction gearing, not shown, since it is the common expedient of a mechanic. Ther motor 59' includes a reversing switch 52. The reversing switch 52 is operatedin any suitable way, for example, by an arm 53, disposed at the upper end of the casing 49. The casing 49 carries twov approximately semi-circular conducting tracks 54 and 55, insulated at 56 from the casing. There is an upper' space 51 between the ends of the tracks 54 and 55, and a. lower space 58 exists between the corresponding ends of the track.

Theshaft ||2 operates a radial finger 59, carrying a contact 69,'adapted to move over the tracks 54 and 55, the linger being adapted to actuate the switcharin 53.

Referring to Fig. 2, electric lamps 6I are located in the cap 22 of the casing 2|, and are adapted to illuminate the display 24.` The lamps 6I are not shown in Fig. '7, because current can befurnished to them in any appropriate way, and as the builder may desire. Referring to Fig. 1, at'any appropriate distance' from the panel I are located differently colored flood lamps 62, 63 and 64, adapted to play uponl the panel I. The lamp 62 `may be a white lamp, the lamp V63 a purple lamp, and the lamp 64 a blue lamp.

A. drum 65 is journaled'to rotate on a casing 69 (Fig. 2) secured to the panel I, the casing preferably being supported on a shelf 61, at-

tached to the panel. The casing 66 encloses anl electrical motor 68 (Fig. 8), the motor being One of the turns 35 of the'` close on mains 19 and 11.

The main 11 is connected by the switch 13 to a conductor 18, connected to the reversing switch 52. A conductorV 19 joins the conductor 18 to one side of thejmotor 68, which operates the l drum 465. ,The opposite side of the motor 68 is joined by a conductor 88 to the conductor 12.

65, out of line with the strip 8|, the Ystrip 86l being connected to the strip 8| by a conductor 81. The strip 86 is adapted to be engaged by a brush 88, connected by a conductor 89 to one side of the purple lamp 63, the opposite side oi the lamp being joined to the conductor 85.

There are circumferentially spaced contact points l99, 9|, 92'and 93 on the drum 65.

The contact points 99, 9|, 92 and 93 are joined electrically, as shown at 94, and the contact point 92 is electrically connected, as at 95, to the strip 86.

The contactrpoints 99, 9|, 92 and 93 are adapted to be engaged, successively, by a brush 96. The brush 99 is yconnected by a conductor 91 to the reversingswitch`52; The contact 69 has elec-f trical connection with the conductor 91.

Conducting strips 98 and 99 are secured to the drum 65, in circumferentially spaced relation, the strips: 98 and 99 being electrically connected, as shown at |99, the strip 98 being connected electrically to the contact point 93, as indicated at I9I. The strips 99 and 99 are adapted to be engaged,"successively, b-y a brush |92, connected by a conductor I 93 with one side of the whie'lamp or flood light 62. The opposite side of the flood light 62 is connected to the conductor 85. 1

Referring to Figs. "I and 8, suppose that `the contact 89 on the linger 59 is on the dead point 58, as in Fig. 5, and that the brush |82 is in contact with the strip 98. Then the whie ood lamp 62 is lighted, because it is in a circuit comprising the main 16, the conductor 12, the conductor 1|, the brush 19, the ring 69, the conductors 82, the strip 8|, the conductor 81, the strip 86, the connection 95, the conductor 94, the contact 93, the connection IIJI, the strip 98, the brush |92, the conductor |93, the lamp 62, the conductor 85, the conductor 18, and the main 11. Before the strip 98 leaves the brush |92, and

whilst the brush |92 is still in engagement with,l the 'strip' 958, the rotating drum 65 brings the,

,connection 95, the contact point 92, the conductor 94, the contact point 93, the brush 95,

the consacrer 9T,- fijie reversing? Switchfszf, the sister 501, thelrevers'iiigt stv-terr S23-trie conductor 18"-, and the main 11.--

v tne'circuitlisst apoyen-geeneens closed, tih contact rn'rhb'er: 665er? Fig'. 5"-l is caused` to iride oir" the; dead point 56;- and moves in the dirc'tirl'- of' the arrow, along" the' track member k upon the'- dead point 5T, tlieviing'er 59o'perating th" switch byivay o'f the arml 53. Then there*- is establishedI a circuit'- co'mprising the cdndutor 16'; the conductor 'F22 thev br'a',r'1`ch1 i3, the track 54, the contact pointiii, the conductor 91, the switch 52 the' motor' the switch 52, the conductor 18, and-the'inain'l'l.

Rotation is imparted to the pulley 36, the flexible elements 38, 29, etc., of Fig. 4 are slacked away, the doors are opened, and the display l5 is subjected to White light proceeding from the flood lamp 62.

Whilst the doors I1 are open, the brush |62 leaves the strip 96, and the white ood light 62 is extinguished. The brush 88 comes into contact with the strip 86, and the purple lamp 63 is lighted through a circuit comprising the main 16, the conductor 12, the conductor 1|, the brush 16, the ring 69, the connection 32, the strip 9|, the connection 8l, the strip 86, the brush 69, the conductor 89, the lamp 63, the conductor 85, the conductor 18, and the main TI. Whilst the purple lamp 63 is flooding the brush 96 reaches the contact point 92 on the drum 65.

The circuit established is shown at i6-l 2 7 19-69-82-8|-81-86-95-92--96-9'l-52- 56-52-78-11. The flexible elements 38-29 are slacked away, and the doors Il are closed by the springs 20.

It will be noted in Fig. 7 that, circumferential- 1y of the drum 65, there is a space between the strip 86 and the strip 99. At this point, all of the brushes 83, 88, 96 and |62 are in contact with the drum 65 only, and a blackout occurs.

The contact 66 is on the dead point 58. The brush |62 comes into contact with the strip 99 on the drum 65, and the white nood lamp 62 is put into operation. During the time that the lamp 62 is in operation, the brush 96 makes contact with the point 9|. The circuit established is shown at |6-12`1| 10-69-82-8I-81-86- 95-92-94-9I. The ringer 59 moves counterclockwise, the contact 60 traversing the track 55. The circuit is the same as that traced out in connection with the track 54, saving that the branch 'I4 forms part of it. The flexible elements 39, etc., are drawn upon by the pulley 36, and the door 25 opens, exposing the display 2.-

During the time that the door 25 is open, the blue hood lamp is lighted through the following circuit: 'I6- 1 2 1 |-16-69-62-8 l-B '4- 84-64-85-18-1'L The contact 69 is on. the dead point 51. The

arm 53, which has been moved to the right from the position of Fig. 5,'is restored to the position there shown, the switch 52 having been thrown. Now the following circuit is established: I6-J2- 1|-19-69-82-8|-91-86-95-96-96--69- 91-52-59-52-18-77, and the nger 59 moves clockwise in Fig. 5, the contact returning to the' dead point 59. During this operation the pulley 36 slacks oiT the flexible elements 39, etc., and the door 25 closes, under the pull of the spring 28. The circuit for the blue lamp circuit 54 is opened when the brush 83 leaves the strip 8 l.

. Next comes a blackout since the strip 6| is spaced circumferentially of the drum 65 from the corresponding part of the strip' 98, the brushes $3, 98g 96 and ||l2 beingfout off Contact with any of the conducting stripsfo'n the'drum.- The strip sicornesintocontactfagainwith the brush |02, the circuitl forthe white light 62 is closed, and the cycle isr'ep'eated; Y The device' affords* a'l display panel. ofnovel construction, embodying means for exposing the' displays, whatever be their nature, it being pos'- sible to illuminate the displays in various colors, an'd'- to blackout; the enti-re device atA interv-als;

During eith'er'of-A the blackouts, any luminous elements on ther panel, such as the strips 9ct-"the symbol are faintly but appreciablyA visible.

Having thus described lthe invention', vv-hat is claimed is:

l. In adisplay device, a panel, first and second displays carried by the panel, first and second'doors movably carried by the panel, means for closing the doors automatically, to cause them to hide the respective displays, mechanism for opening the doors one after the other, and for releasing them for closing movement one afterthe other, a motor operatively connected to said mechanism and reversible to cause the doors to open and close, and means for reversing the motor.

2. In a display device, a panel, rst and second displays carried by the panel, first and second doors movably carried by the panel, means for closing the doors automatically, to cause them to hide the respective displays, mechanism for opening the doors one after the other, and for releasing them for closing movement one after the other, a motor operatively connected to said mechanism and reversible to cause the doors to open and close, means for reversing the motor, a ood lamp mounted to play on the panel and to illuminate the displays when the doors are open, and means operated by said mechanism for lighting and extinguishing the lamps in timed relation to the opening and closing of the doors.

3. In a display device, a panel, rst and second displays carried by the panel, rst and second doors movably mounted on the panel, means for closing the doors automatically, to cause them to hide the respective displays, mechanism for opening the doors one after the other, and for releasing them for closing movement one after the other, a motor operatively connected to said mechanism and reversible to cause the doors to open and close, means for reversing the motor, flood lamps of different colors and mounted to play on the panel and to illuminate the displays when the doors are open, and means operated by said mechanism for lighting and extinguishing the lamps, in timed relation to each other, and in timed relation to the opening and closing of the doors.

4. In a display device, a panel, rst and second displays carried by the panel, doors movably mounted on the panel, yieldable means for closing the doors to cause them to hide the displays, and mechanism for opening the doors one after the other, and for releasing them for closing movement one after the other, said mechanism comprising a reversible motor, means for reversing the motor automatically, a pulley driven by the motor, a flexible element Wound about the pulley and connected at its ends to the respective doors, and means for guiding the intermediate portion of the iiexible element.

5. In a display device, a panel, a V-shaped symbol on the panel, displays on the panel and extended into the space within the symbol, doors movably mounted on the panel, means for closing the doors automatically, to .cause them to hide the displays, mechanism for` opening the doors one after the other, and for releasing them for closing movement one after the other, a flood lamp mounted to play on the panel, the doors and the symbol, and means under the control of said mechanism for lighting and extinguishing the lamp, in timed relation to the opening and closing of the doors.

6. In a display device, a panel, displays carried by the panel, a pair of doors supported for swinging movement on the panel, yieldable means for closing the doors of the pair, to hide the corresponding display, a single door sulpported for swinging movement' on the panel, yieldable means for closing the other door to hide the other display, a reversing motor carried by the panel, means for automatically reversing the motor, a pulley driven by the motor, a flexible element engaged about the pulley, forwardly projecting arms carried by the doors, one end of the ilexible element being attached to the arm of the single door, the flexible element being provided at its opposite end with branches connected to the arms of the doors of the pair, and means for guiding the exible element be' tween the pulley and the doors. VALERE LAURENCE MINET. 

